The City of Rancho Santa Margarita contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for all of its law enforcement needs. Lieutenant Ron Kennedy serves as Chief of Police Services responsible for the day-to-day operation of law enforcement services in the City. Lieutenant Kennedy manages a staff of five Sergeants, one Investigator, one and one/third Investigative Assistants, two Special Enforcement Team (SET) Deputies, one Directed Enforcement Team (DET) Deputy; one Child Safety Deputy (CSD), eighteen Patrol/Traffic/Motor Deputies, two Community Service Officers, one Emergency Management Coordinator, and one Administrative Assistant.

The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for providing for the protection of citizens, the enforcement of laws, and crime prevention. Law enforcement services include patrol, criminal investigations, traffic and parking enforcement, traffic accident analysis and investigation, child and neighborhood safety, and emergency management. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department provides the City with further specialized units when necessary including Canine Patrol, Computer Crimes, Economic Crimes, Forensic Science Services, Gang Enforcement, Hazardous Devices, Helicopter Patrol, Homicide Detail, Major Accident Reconstruction Team, Mounted Patrol, Narcotics Detail, Sex Crimes, Family Violence, Tactical Support Team/Hostage Negotiations, and Terrorism Early Warning Group. Additional information regarding the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can be accessed on their website at www.ocsd.org.

Rancho Santa Margarita is recognized as one of the safest cities in California. The City is dedicated in its crime fighting strategy, as well as maintaining an atmosphere of community. There are a variety of community policing programs available to residents and businesses in the City. Police Services encourages you to participate in these programs and aid in our endeavor to preserve the quality of life in Rancho Santa Margarita. Together we can continue to make this City a place where people want to live, work and play. Please call 949.635.1819 for additional information regarding our Police Services programs and services.

Message from the Chief of Police Services:I am truly honored to be able to serve the citizens of Rancho Santa Margarita as the Chief of Police Services. The City of Rancho Santa Margarita and the Orange County Sheriff's Department have created an incredible partnership making this city one of the safest anywhere. I will strive to make that partnership even stronger still.

In addition to my professional responsibility to keep the community safe, my interest is also very personal. As a resident of Rancho Santa Margarita for more than twenty years, I am not just your Chief of Police Services - I am also your neighbor. I am proud to serve and I assure you that the men and women of Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services will continue working tirelessly to ensure that our city remains a great place to live, work, and play!